Basra Overview

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Situated in lower Mesopotamia, Basra is an important port city close to the border of Kuwait. It is also the second biggest city of Iraq. The city is a part of the historic area of Sumer.

Basra holds a lot of importance in the Islamic history. Built in 636 CE, Basra is located on the banks of Shatt al-Arab. The city was established during the time of Umar (radiallahu-anhu) in 17 AH (639 AD). The old Masjid in the city is the first Masjid to be built outside the Arabian Peninsula.

At the time when Ibn Battuta visited the city, it had shrunk as a result of attacks from the Mongols and the Grand Masjid, the landmark of the city stood about 2 miles outside the city.

Some of the governors of Basra who were prominant Sahabas were Abu-Musa al-Asha'ari, Abdullah ibn Abbas, Abdullah ibn al-Harith and Mus`ab Ibn al-Zubayr (Radiallahu-anhum)

The ruins of the Sayab's house, is an important landmark in the city. The ruins are located on the Basra Corniche. The Corniche al-Basra Street also offers great views of the Shatt al-Arab.

Other important places in the city inlcude the four presidential palaces and the Sayyed Ali al-Musawi Masjid is located in the heart of the city on the al-gazear street.

Basra is also the "hometown" of the fictional character, Sinbad the Sailor. In the centre of the Shatt Al-Arab lies the Sinbad Island, extending till the bridge Khaled.

The Basra Land is among the oldest theme parks in the city. The Basra Sports City is among the largest sports cities in the Middle East. The Akhora Park built on the al-Basra Street is one of the oldest parks in the city.

Basra also boasts one of the Important Universties of Iraq, The University of Basrah. The Basra Airport is now being gradually restoring its services. The Indian Market or Amogaiz is one of the main markets in the city. The Hanna Sheikh bazaar is also an old market in the city.

Ibn Battuta travelled along the Tigris and reached the city of Basra towards the end of January in 1327.

He remarks in his Rihla "..Basra is one of the metropolitan cities of Iraq, and no place on earth excels it in quantity of palm-groves......The inhabitants of Basra possess many excellent qualities..."

Ibn Battuta joined a group of pilgrims returning to Iraq after completing his first Hajj. He left Makkah on 17th November 1326. The caravan reached the Mesopotamia basin where they were greeted by a party from the Iraqi city of Kufa. About six days later they reached al-Najaf a few…

Kufa and Najf were the first citiesreached by Ibn Battuta entering into Iraq. Najaf is a city in Iraq of religious significance to the Shia Muslims. Ibn Battuta reached the city of Najaf 44 days after leaving Makkah. He stayed on in the city for a few days and visited…

Euphrates along with Tigris define the region of Mesopotamia. The two rivers were the cause of flourishing civilizations from a very early time, which gave rise to the region being called the "Cradle of Civilization".

Although Baghdad is now undergoing another period of turmoil in its long history, the first name of the city was Madinat al-Salaam or "City of Peace". This is the name given to the city by its builder, Abbasid Caliph Abu Ja'far Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Mansur, the 2nd Abbasid Caliph. He…